Dates of founding and dissolution:
The Alberta Human Rights Commission was founded in 1973 under the authority of the Individual's Rights Protection Act (S.A. 1972, c. 2). The commission became operational effective January 1, 1974. The Individual's Rights Protection Amendment Act, 1996 changed the name of the commission to the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission (S.A. 1996, c. 25). At this time, the name of the Act became the Human Rights, Citizenship, and Multiculturalism Act.
Functional responsibility:
The commission was formed to administer the Individual's Rights Protection Act. The principal activity of the commission was to receive complaints regarding contraventions of the Act and to negotiate their resolution. If the commission is not able to obtain a resolution to a complaint, the commission requests that the minister appoint a board of inquiry to hear the complaint and impose a resolution.
The commission was also responsible for making recommendations to the minister responsible for the commission regarding human rights policy and amendments to the Act. The commission submitted proposals regarding extensions to the Act's protected grounds against discrimination. Commission members were actively involved in public outreach and education programs.
Predecessor and successor bodies:
The predecessor of the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission was the Human Rights Branch of the Department of Labour. The Human Rights Branch was responsible for the day-to-day activities related to the responsibilities of the Minister of Labour under the Human Rights Act (S.A. 1966, c. 39).
Administrative relationships:
The commission has reported to the Minister of Community Development since January 1993. The commission has also reported to the Minister of Manpower and Labour (1973-1975) and the Minister of Labour (1975-1993).
Administrative structure:
The commission has two components: six part-time members and a chief commissioner who are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, and the commission's staff, who are responsible for the day-to-day administrative activities of the commission. The appointed commission members act as the executive of the commission. The commission's staff provides services to the public at the commission's Edmonton and Calgary regional offices. They work under the direction of the executive director, who reports to the commission's executive.
Names of the corporate bodies:
Alberta Human Rights Commission (1973-1996)
Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission (1996-present)
Names of chief officers:
Chairs of the Alberta Human Rights Commission
Max Wyman (1974-1979)
Robert A. Lundrigan (1979-1981)
Marlene J. Antonio (1981-1985)
Stanley A. Scudder (1985-1989)
Fil Fraser (1989-1992)
Chief Commissioners of the Alberta Human Rights Commission
Raffath Sayeed (Acting) (1992-1993)
J.S. (Jack) O'Neill (1993-1994)
Charlach Mackintosh (1994-1996)
Chief Commissioner of the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission
Charlach Mackintosh (1996-present)
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